• Potash (NYSE:POT) reported third-quarter earnings of 82 cents a share, versus Zacks estimates of 82 cents, as revenues fell 64% to $1.1 billion. Citing continued caution among fertilizer customers, the firm projected fourth quarter earnings of 65 to 85 cents a share

• Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS) reported net profits of $2.33 billion on a surge in investment banking operations and strength in its private banking arm. Its tier one capital ratio rose to 16.4%, the highest of any of the world's major banks

• UPS (NYSE:UPS) reported third quarter results of 55 cents, three cents above Zacks estimates, on revenues of $11.15 billion, versus Zacks estimates of $11.17 billion. The company said it sees fourth quarter earnings of 58 cents to 65 cents a share

• Merck's (NYSE:MRK) third quarter results of 90 cents beat Zacks estimates by 8 cents on inline revenues of $6 billion. The firm set full year guidance

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The Mosaic Company (MOS) today reported first quarter fiscal 2010 earnings per share of 23 cents, well below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 33 cents and the year-ago earnings of $2.65. Sales Net sales in the quarter were $1,457.2 million, declining roughly 66% year over year. The decline was broad-based across all the business segments and is mentioned in details below. Phosphates sales were $814.4 million, declining roughly 69% year over year. The decline was due to the lower average diammonium phosphate (DAP) selling price, although the sales volume remained the same. The average DAP selling price was $276 per ton, compared to $1,013 in the year-ago quarter. Sales volume remained roughly flat year over year at 2.1 million tons. Production volume declined 13% year over year to 1.8 million tons. Potash sales were $333.3 million, declining approximately 66% year over year. The decline ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – September 30, 2009 – Zacks.com releases the latest Zacks Industry Rank. Stocks featured in this week’s analysis include Agrium (AGU), CF Industries (CF), Intrepid Potash (IPI), Mosaic (MOS), Potash of Saskatchewan (POT) and Market Vectors Agribusiness (MOO).

Zacks Industry Rank Analysis is written by Charles Rotblut, CFA, Senior Market Analyst for Zacks.com.

This week: Fertilizer's Farming Problem

Hostile takeover attempts have kept fertilizer companies in the news. The acquisition talk has helped to overshadow a negative trend that should have investors concerned - ongoing cuts to full-year profit forecasts.

During the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimates have been revised downwards on several fertilizer companies, including Agrium (AGU), Intrepid Potash (IPI), Mosaic (MOS) and Potash of Saskatchewan (POT).

The most recent cuts were related to a warning from POT. The company predicted

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The Russian government plans to invite Singaporean investors to buy up stakes in state-owned firms, as part of the Kremlin's privatization drive.  Potash producer Silvinit may seek a foreign company to help it develop its largest field, according to Bloomberg.  Reuters has a feature on how the Lada is being displaced as Cubans' car of choice, with the Chinese Geely CK appearing on the roads.  Lada-enthusiasts says however that the automobile will retain its 'cult status'.  Russia's biggest mobile phone operator MTS has secured two loans worth $1.96 billion from Sberbank to be used to finance investments, including a potential purchase of a 51% stake in Comstar.  Mobile phones sales fell nearly 32% in the third quarter.  Where does Telenor go from here?: Reuters predicts different outcomes of its next appeal hearing.  French prosecutors have ...

Dr Stock Pick HOT News & Alerts!

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Friday September 25, 2009

DrStockPick.com Stock Report!

CVAT, POT, MOS

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CVAT, Cavitation Technologies Inc, CVAT.OB

CVAT is a “Green-Tech” company, established in 2006 to become a world leader in the development of new cutting edge technologies for the, vegetable oil refining, renewable fuel, petroleum, water treatment, wastewater sanitation, petroleum, food and beverage, chemical industries.

CVAT announced that Biocombustibles y Energias Alternativas (ALS) has entered into a long-term agreement with CTI (Cavitation Technologies Inc) to develop projects in Argentina and throughout Latin America. ALS (www.alsbio.com), partnering with DOW Chemical (www.dow.com), has identified several projects where CTI technology can greatly improve process yields

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Potash Corp. (POT) shares are down more than 5% on high volume, afternoon trade after the company lowered its 3rd-quarter and full-year earnings guidance Friday after the Bell.

Potash said sales volumes continue to lag as distributors are slow to replenish depleted inventories. The Canadian fertilizer seller now expects 3rd quarter earnings to come in at the low end of the range between $1.20 and 80 cents per share.

2009 full-year earnings are now projected to fall between $3.25 and $3.75, down from the company's July guidance between $4 and $5. Potash added that it does see a return to growth in 2010 as lower levels of potash in farm soil curtails yields and production.

Shares of POT, a Zacks #4 Rank Stock (Sell), have spent most of the last 6 months trading sideways, under pressure from continued downward estimate revisions.

Read the full analyst report ...

Dow Chemical Co. (DOW) completed the sale of its Netherlands-based crude oil refinery to Paris-based Total SA (TOT), one of the six major global oil companies, for about $800 million. The refinery is a key supplier of refined products, including diesel, to the European market. The move is in line with Dow’s strategy of divesting non-core assets. The deal received regulatory approval last month.

The Midlands, Michigan-based chemical company stated that the divestiture will increase its financial flexibility, improve cash flow and will help pay down debt. The company plans to use the proceeds from the deal to pay down debt, which was raised for the Rohm and Haas acquisition.

The Rohm and Haas acquisition increased Dow’s net debt from $8 billion to $22 billion in the first half of 2009. This resulted in a significant net cash deficit of $19 billion during the period. However, Dow Chemical has become

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All the factors that set the fertilizer bull market in motion in the first place are still here. Populations are still growing. Diets are shifting toward more fruits, vegetables and meats — all fertilizer intensive. As Potash CEO Bill Doyle says, “This will continue to put pressure on global grain supplies, as farmers are being challenged to produce more with land and water resources that are shrinking on a per capita basis.”

Fertilizers are a key part in meeting that challenge. And the farmers are financially in good shape to buy more. The debt-to-equity ratio for the U.S. farmer is only around 10-15%.

Overseas, farmers are subsidized directly. In India, the government picks up the tab of higher fertilizer costs. As Doyle pointed out: “With low grain stocks and low yields and 1.2 billion people, they’re not going to drop the ball. They’ll continue to support the Indian farmer.” China has also

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The resource-rich Canadian markets continued to gain momentum to the upside during Thursday trading with only the gold sector showing signs of weakness. For the tale of the tape; the TSX Exchange surged 2.33%, while the TSX Gold Index fell 0.79% and the TSX Venture Exchange, Canada’s largest junior exploration bourse, added 1.28% with the advancers beating out the decliners by a 432 to 371 margin on 184 million shares traded. Teck Resources (NYSE:TCK) posted a second quarter profit of $570 million or $1.17 per share thanks to a non-cash foreign exchange gain of $413 million and a $33 million gain for the sale of its Hemlo gold operations in Ontario. Revenues from coal operations increased by $410 million but copper and zinc revenues fell by $508 million due to lower metal prices and lower copper sales. Teck ended the day up C$1.25 at C$26 even.

Potash Corp. of

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Just wanted to supply a quick primer for what I'll be focusing on tomorrow. We're still heavily into earnings season, and that is dominating the action in the market. What we're seeing is some fairly good quality earnings, especially in technology companies. We're also seeing some low quality earnings in industrial-type names, but most are making numbers due to cost cutting and are being welcomed by a favorable climate in the market. Thursday will have these companies reporting that I'm looking at:br /br /-3M. Just looking for a general update from them. How numbers are looking internationally vs. US etc. Revenue's year over year.br /br /-ABB. I know they'll report some trouble in their robotics unit due to auto exposure. I'm more interested in where their orders are coming in from (more from Africa and Middle East? and of course ...